How do I slip one past my Auntie?

[diskam]

My aunt has decided to join us on our trip in January. When we were first planning, I mentioned the great rate we got last year at WL. Now, of course, the cost will be higher since there don't seem to be any room only discounts for January. My DH and I decided we'd like to 'underwrite' the difference, but we'd rather she didn't even know. I talked to someone in reservations, but she seemed (understandably, I guess) completely baffled by why we would do this, and didn't seem to want to help. I've told my aunt that the reservations need to be in my name because I'll need to use my disney card to get the rate. However, she wants to put her card on the room so she can charge to the room key. Any ideas on how to pull this off?

 

[KeepSwimming]

Only thing I can think of is to beat her to the front desk at check in and pay the difference. Explain to the clerk the situation and hopefully they can help you keep this a secret.

I hope you find a way that works....

 

[melomouse]

Hi -

This is sweet of you. I am trying to remeber what I did a few years ago when we took my late mom with us to WL. I think I told her the lower price, too - The ressies were in my name, DM had a different name and they ask for all names of course when you make the ressie. When I checked in, I paid the room balance on my CC and gave them both mine and Mom's for the room charges. We also bought Mom's passes separately on her CC. They will actually do whatever you want to at the front desk. You will have to present yours first, pay the entire room balance, less auntie's "expected' discounted rate. Auntie can then present HER payment. Do the math before you get there, of course!

I am sure others have better, easier to understand suggestions. I justr remeber they were able to do exactly what I wanted and no one was the wiser...

I hope you have a great time!!!

melomouse

 

[srfrgrl07]

You can prepay a room only reservation if it wasn't made online. Maybe she can give you her cc info and you can call ahead and pay the differing amounts. If she insists on calling, tell her to call and say she wants to pay X amount. She *hopefully* won't know the difference unless she does the math based on the remaining balance. It would be a lot easier to prepay, because at the front desk with her right there it may be difficult to hide the total.

 

[Liz]

I don't have any advice but just wanted to say how nice this is of you. How many times have we read posts about how some relative wants to come along on their WDW vacation and they are asking for advice on how to get them to stay home! I hope your vacation is magical!

 

[HopperFan]

There are AAA discounts for room only in January. I called Disney reservations direct and the rates were almost equal to our code rates we got last year.

One trip I was determined to make it low budget - but nice, we stayed at Wilderness Lodge. I prepaid the room entirely in advance (in cash) so we owed nothing at check in (and I didn't put a credit card down so we wouldn't charge back). If you pay it in cash it should start with a zero balance. If you pay with credit card, they probably won't post to the card until your trip and then she would see it on her bill. Hopefully with cash it will be zero except for her own charges.